Horseshoe Meadow is one of the highest roads of California
Usa, north-america
35.4 km
3,070 m
extreme
Year-round
Horseshoe Meadow is seriously high – we're talking 10,072 feet above sea level! You'll find this sub-alpine beauty tucked away in Inyo County, California, inside the Inyo National Forest. It's up there with some of California's highest roads.
Horseshoe Meadows Road, formerly Route 190, has been fully paved since the 80s, and it's 22 miles of pure driving adrenaline starting from Whitney Portal Road.
Hold on tight, because this road is a beast! You're climbing a super steep mountain, and it's nothing but straight sections linked by crazy hairpin turns. Seriously, this is a white-knuckle experience. It's known as one of the toughest climbs in California, with an average grade of 6.5%. You'll gain altitude super fast, so take it easy if you're not used to the thin air. Switchbacks are constant, so keep your focus. Gear down on the way back, and four-wheel drive definitely helps. Watch out for debris flows — they clear rocks at 4 PM daily, which tells you everything!
Tucked in the Eastern Sierra Nevada, southwest of Lone Pine, it's a no-go in bad weather. The road shuts down from around November to May because of snow.
Allow 45-60 minutes without stops, but honestly, you'll want more time for photos and exploring. Luckily, there are plenty of pull-offs for those perfect shots. Trust me, you won't regret it!
Where is it?
Horseshoe Meadow is one of the highest roads of California is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 42.0213, -104.5091
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 35.4 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,070 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 42.0213, -104.5091
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